North West Kent Family History Society

23/06/2026

Please join us tomorrow 24 June 7.30pm for our talk on Merchant Marine ancestors. Our own Michele Jeannotte will be joining us from Canada to give her talk. There will be a link later on so you can watch the recording if you wish.

It's going to be too hot for anything else, so why not pull up your computer, switch on a fan and enjoy the talk?. Especially if you are staying up to see the Scotland v Brazil match which follows at 11pm.

We look forward to seeing you if you can make it.

https://nwkfhs.org.uk/events/workshops/upcoming-zoom-workshops/zoom-talk-with-michele-jeannotte-they-sailed-the-seas

All Zoom events are members-only.
But Society membership only costs £10 a year (£12 joint members) https://www.nwkfhs.org.uk/about/membership/our-membership

Membership is open to anyone, anywhere in the world and you will receive our quarterly journal mailed direct.

10/06/2026

Society Members

This is to remind you about Janet Few's talk on Thursday 11th June at 7.30pm BST on One Place Studies. This is a fusion between family history and local history.

Although the talk will be explaining how you can do this or get involved in a project, hopefully it will raise awareness of existing projects. Maybe someone has already done a study involving your ancestor's home town or village? What a lucky find that would be.

https://nwkfhs.org.uk/.../zoom-talk-one-place-study-with...

A recording will be available for 2 weeks.

Michele Jeannotte's talk on Merchant Marine Ancestors on Wednesday 24th June at 7.30pm will also be available to watch afterwards.

https://nwkfhs.org.uk/.../zoom-talk-with-michele...

All recordings (and handouts) can be watched by logging in to the website www.nwkfhs.org.uk and selecting in turn:
- Resources
- All other
- Zoom Talk Videos
They are usually available within a few days. However, do come on the day if you can as you can then meet other Society Members and also have the opportunity to ask the Speaker any questions and listen to other questions.

Our Zoom talks are only available to Society Members, but membership is only £10 per calendar year. Why not join now?

https://nwkfhs.org.uk/about/membership/our-membership

Membership is open to anyone, anywhere in the world and you will receive our quarterly journal mailed direct.

08/05/2026

Sevenoaks Branch Talk 9 May; Alan Williams on : Let's Go To The Pictures: The British Cinema of the 1930s
Doors open 10.45am meeting starts 11am

'Going to the pictures' once (or even twice) a week was a major leisure activity in the pre-television age of the middle decades of the twentieth century. This was also the age of the 'super' art deco modernist cinemas.

Alan will explore the history of the cinema in Britain, give a brief history of cinemas in Sevenoaks, and explain what 'going to the pictures' was like for its audience.

Alan lives locally with his wife and children near to Otford and is a Lecturer. He is a very active member of the 1940s Society, Otford, and many of his talks reflect his interest. Alan has been a regular speaker to Sevenoaks over the years and it will be a pleasure to hear him again.

There is a large public car park (payment required, 50p for 2 hours, £1 for 3 hours) adjacent to the hall but it can be busy.

No booking, just turn up.

'Going to the pictures' once (or even twice) a week was a major leisure activity in the pre-television age of the middle decades of the twentieth century. This was also the age of the 'super' art...

30/04/2026

Dartford Branch Talk 2 May A Look at Crime in Victorian Kent with Helen Allinson

Doors open 9.45am meeting starts at 10.30am

This talk will give you a new insight into crime in Kent. Did the proximity of London have an effect on Kentish crime? How were London hop-pickers regarded? How were poachers dealt with and why did policemen find a wheelbarrow handy? Learn the answers to these questions and more from Helen's research.

Helen, a retired teacher, is an accomplished speaker who is a regular visitor at Dartford. She has written several local history books.

The venue has a large, free car park but it is shared with other users and can be busy at times.

No booking, just turn up.

This talk will give you a new insight into crime in Kent. Did the proximity of London have an effect on Kentish crime? How were London hop-pickers regarded? How were poachers dealt with and why did...

22/04/2026

In honor of Anzac Day, MyHeritage is opening up 2.4 billion historical records from Australia and New Zealand for free from now until April 26.

This includes 353 collections, with standout military records like the Anzac Memorial and the Australian World War II Nominal Roll, along with newspapers and vital records that can help people with Australian roots discover the stories of those who served.
Search Australian and New Zealand Records for free
Genealogy Research Collection Catalog - MyHeritage
myheritage.com

Genealogy Research Collection Catalog - MyHeritage
Easily search billions of historical records from around the world including birth, marriage, death, census, and immigration records, and much more

https://www.myheritage.com/research/catalog?location=Oceania&tr_brand=blog&tr_category=historical_records&tr_landingpage=enjoy_free_access_to_australian_and_new_zealand_records_for_anzac_day&tr_creative=enjoy_free_access_to_australian_and_new_zealand_records_for_anzac_day&tr_language=EN&tr_country=US&utm_medium=Blog&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--8VzCciNpRaxHLHmEH1uAX8sra2isP3fZ0W21fIQW1VDDmFLFPWv5ynrZPbRpFsV_yRwenzwuFa7MCzwlC4RUFUsNdohkZhX6U7nxDNSz54Z4Ykvo&_hsmi=415039699&utm_source=organic_blog&mh_session_id=djFfREJTUkl1K21TQlhOZHFUWDY4M1BmaHdiZU5nT0QzQnh6ZmVRMnA4Qk5CNnYwdjFhdzJFQmpiOWUrQ2ZLcVJyb1lPSDFERkYwdlpXV0pPam81dnhKeDh3V3d1Q2NtNEJvazlvN3dNUE5oM2xXSU1Fbm4zRVZma0pzUW9tTW9wWGFvNHpqRUJSWVB6b1dnUlo5ajlqVTFzVEcrQVpPZE9SK200TkY5bUxjcDhxa1RkdEw5c3VNa3VhWVJZMUZDc2FwUUc3d0R0WGswL1hORlM2RWh0enFFUT09

Easily search billions of historical records from around the world including birth, marriage, death, census, and immigration records, and much more

09/04/2026

https://www.nwkfhs.org.uk/about/membership/our-membership
Did you know you can join the North West Kent Family History Society for as little as £10 a year? Membership offers a wide range of benefits, including online and in-person talks and meetings, a quarterly journal, access to the Society library on Wednesdays and the society’s databases of members’ interests. ................................................
Take a look at our website to see our extensive programme of events - dozens of in-person and Zoom talks, discussion groups, and workshops running through to the end of 2026. https://www.nwkfhs.org.uk/events/overview/all-upcoming-meetings...........................
Getting to know Your Military Ancestors from the 1850s to the 1920s with speaker Graham Bandy
Zoom Talk: TONIGHT 9 April 7.30pm

Graham will show you how to use your military family photos and memorabilia to enhance your family tree. You will learn how subtle changes in uniform, badges and other insignia help to date a photo and identify regiment or unit.

Graham spent his childhood listening to, and pestering, his relations and great uncles who were in WW1 for stories and memorabilia. He collected a mass of cap badges and other items (since added to by other military artifacts, particularly relating to army nursing and medicine) which formed the basis of his extensive collection of which he is this generation’s custodian.

He served with the 2nd Bn the Royal Anglian Regiment in Northern Ireland, Germany, Europe, the US, and also with the United Nations before becoming a Registered Nurse.

Returning to the military in 1999, Graham was commissioned as a Captain in Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps, where he served through the tail end of the Balkans conflict, the 2nd Gulf War, and Afghanistan.

His interest in military genealogy never wavered and he began to advise military and family history societies. Most notably he appeared on WDYTYA, and was a photographic expert for WDYTYA Live, and Family Tree Live.

Please log in from 7.15pm and enjoy chat with the other participants before the talk starts.

Please ensure you use your real name when joining our Zoom events. Participants appearing as 'Zoom User' or similar will not be admitted, as this helps us prevent scammers from joining.
This talk will be recorded and in the Members Only Area for three months and there will be a handout.

To Get the Zoom Link
https://www.nwkfhs.org.uk/events/overview/all-upcoming-meetings/zoom-talks/zoom-talk-military-talk-dating-photographs-with-graham-bandy

Graham will show you how to use your military family photos and memorabilia to enhance your family tree. You will learn how subtle changes in uniform, badges and other insignia help to date a photo...

09/04/2026

Sevenoaks Branch Talk 11 April Dr Geoff Doyle on Outside the Law: Kent Poachers, Smugglers and Highwaymen

Doors open 10.45am meeting starts 11am
Otford Village Memorial Hall, High St Otford

An exploration of the anti-heroes in Kent traditional culture, such as outlaws, smugglers, poachers and highwaymen in historical accounts, legends. and folksongs.

Dr Doel has a PhD on Thomas Hardy, is an Honorary Life Member of The University of Kent and lectures for University of Canterbury Christ Church, WI and U3A. He is an Honorary Life Member of the Marlowe Society and the Thomas Hardy Society and is co-author with his wife Fran of 16 books; his several TV appearances include Time Team.

There is a large public car park (payment required, 50p for 2 hours, £1 for 3 hours) adjacent to the hall but it can be busy.
No booking, just turn up.

An exploration of the anti-heroes in Kent traditional culture, such as outlaws, smugglers, poachers and highwaymen in historical accounts, legends. and folksongs. Dr Doel has a PhD on Thomas Hardy,...

03/04/2026

Hever Castle is no longer included but many other historic houses are.